Inattentive motorists can kill cyclists. The Air Zound bike horn emits a 115 decibel blast that will let even the most distracted driver know you’re there. The handlebar-mounted air horn draws from a air reservoir attached to your water bottle cage or other convenient location using the velcro provided. After around 50 blasts of the horn the reservoir needs refilling using a standard bike pump.
If the 115db volume is too much, it can be moderated with the turn of a switch.
World’s loudest bike horn
City cyclists who battle to get themselves noticed on the roads can resort to the ultimate deterrent against inattentive truck drivers; a bicycle equipped with a horn that is louder than Concorde.
The Hornster bicycle was developed by us at the ETA to highlight the dangers that cyclists face on city roads. Trucks are involved in over half of cyclist fatalities that occur in London.
The triple air horn fitted to the bicycle is an Airchime KH3A from an American locomotive, which has been adapted to run off a scuba diving cylinder.
The Hornster is so powerful that at a distance of 100ft it is far louder than a standard truck horn and more than noisy enough for a cyclist to make themselves heard above the din of the urban jungle. A spokesperson for the ETA said: “The same quietness that makes bicycles such a civilised way of getting around makes them vulnerable to inattentive motorists – the Hornster is a wake-up call for drivers who don’t pay attention to bikes.”
How loud?
- Hornster: 178db (3ft) 140db (50ft)
- F-14 take off with re-heat: 130db (50ft)
- Concorde (landing):119db
- Typical lorry air horn: 110db (100ft)
- City traffic: 78db (central London)
- Conversation in restaurant: 60db
Have you insured your bike?
Our fully-comp bicycle insurance covers against theft, accidental damage and vandalism AND includes £2m third party cover
Win your own bicycle air horn
We can’t promise it’ll have the same effect as The Hornster, but at 115 decibels the Air Zound will certainly make your presence known. We have one to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave us a comment below and we’ll pick a name next week.
Ethical cycle insurance
On the face of it, one cycle insurance policy is much like another, but the devil is the detail. Check your small print for so-called ‘new-for-old’ replacement – many insurers use the term, but if your bicycle is more than a few years old, devalue it severely. This means you are left out of pocket when you come to replace it.
With ETA cycle insurance, however old the bike, if it’s stolen you get enough to buy a new model. Furthermore, every cycle insurance policy you buy from us helps support the work of the ETA Trust, our charity campaigning for a cleaner and safer transport future. Little wonder The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be Britain’s most ethical provider.
Eric Ludlow
Bet I could shout louder than this…
John H
Just what you need for cycling in London I think.
Mark B
Please give me the horn. It’ll give my finger a rest!!
Keith
Let”s hear it for this brilliant invention.
David Gray
Not sure about this one.
Peter Clark
Being seen on a bike is important but being heard looks like a lot more fun
Fred
Poop, poop!
Lonnie
My grandson would love one of these
Paul S
Beep beep or should that be honk honk great prize .
Peter Chisnall
Blasting!!!!!
Matthew Newell
Definitely better than shouting Oi! Which is the current method of letting car drivers know they have to look *before* they pull out/change lane.
Love to get that horn on the handlebars
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
Just the job!
I think that all bikes should have one.
I used to have an air horn for boats on my bike, which students kept blowing.
Mark B
Please give me the horn. It’ll give my finger a rest!!
Chris Bromwich
I like my bell and in most cases it is sufficient, particularly for other cyclist or pedestrians, but I think the addition of the air horns for motorists is a brilliant idea, so yes please.
Doug M
This appears to be an essential accessory, especially when using cycle lanes with inattentive pedestrians walking along them.
Vincent Procter
I could have the horn.
Gavin
I was honestly going to get one of these a few years back for my commute/work bike – never got around to it… with a bit of luck 😉
Aye, aye
Gavin
David Farmer
Beep Beep’m Beep Beep Yeah!
Raf
This will be a rezounding success on the daily commute!
Les Gunbie
Meep meep …
Ema
Not sure it is loud enough for London! 😉
Edward Dymock
I’d be much happier for my daughters to be in traffic on their bikes if they could make their presence known with a Air Zound bike horn!